FREE Services: What You Can Expect

I can already hear the inner critics commenting: If it’s too good to be true, it is. You get what you pay for in life. Nothing good in life comes free.

It’s time to stuff a sugary sprinkled donut in that cranky critic’s yapper! I’m here to share some lesser-known real estate industry gems: free services provided by your local agent.

For Buyers

In many cases, the buyer or renter does not pay for any services provided by the real estate agent. Instead, the landlord or seller pays the commission. But wait – doesn’t that compromise their loyalty to your best interests if the other guy is paying their paycheck? Nope. Licensed real estate agents are required by law to protect their client’s best interests and maintain confidentiality (along with a few other legally bound duties). And if your agent is also a member of the local association of realtors, they have been additionally sworn in to follow even higher standards for conduct with additional disciplinary consequences for violations. Honestly, no paycheck would be worth the loss of their license, livelihood and career.

Free services you can request are:

Automated emails for new listings

Property showings

Recommendations for local vendors and businesses

Neighborhood analysis reports

For Sellers

In most cases, you will be responsible for footing the commission bill for the real estate agency services on the sale of your property – so it’s important you find an agent you feel will provide you the most value for your dollars! This is where some owners decide to sell the house themselves or go with a discounted brokerage. Both potentially great money-saving options for a highly motivated seller with lots of experience in selling properties and the ability to emotionally disconnect from the business side of the deal.

For everyone else, you’ll want to find an agent with all the skills and tools you may need to sell your home. This includes: landscape design, interior design, staging, effective marketing, social media networking, professional photography, great communication, web-based contract software, easy accessibility, quick response time, and a network of vendors to provide support throughout the process for any and every issue that may come to light!

While there are free services you can receive from any agent (or multiple agents) before listing your home for sale, there are also a lot of services you can request, at no additional charge, from your agent once your home is listed for sale.

Free services you can request before listing are:

Comparative Market Analysis of Your Home’s Current Value

Automated emails of new listings and sales within your neighborhood

Recommendations for local vendors and businesses

Neighborhood analysis reports

Services you can request after listing, at no additional fee, are:

Professional Photography

Landscape Recommendations for Superior Curb Appeal

Interior Staging Recommendations

Frequent Open Houses with Refreshments Provided

Custom Home Highlights Report for Open Houses/Showings

Distribution of Your Listing Across Multiple Marketing Outlets

Virtual Video Tours for Potential Buyers

Marketing Flyers Provided for Showings/Sign Box

Frequent Updates on Marketing Statistics

Weekly Marketing Strategy Meetings

eDocument Processing: Ability to Sign All Documents Online

Frequent Communications via eMail, Text, or Phone Call

Remember, it never hurts to ask ~ the worst they can say is no and if you don’t ask, the answer is always no! Happy house buying and selling!